Anyone know any over the counter pills for migraines?

The wife has suffered from migraines for years... We came to the conclusion a long time ago that there is absolutely nothing available OTC to stop a migraine once it's in full effect...

She takes a prescribed drug called Immitrex. She has it both in pills and for those really nasty episodes, injectable form. Sorry I couldn't be of more help or provide you with anything OTC... Migraines are NOT fun!


Lyndel

Prescription? Agh! Well thanks I'll just have to go along see a doctor for a prescription then. I have bad migraines at times, thanks for your help.

I think there is an Excedrin Migraine. (Or possibly Tylenol Migraine)

Can't say how well they work, (knock wood) I haven't had a migraine in years.

My sympathies, I remember lying there trying to find the position where it would hurt least!

I read a paper that recommended brain freeze as the cure. The icy drink hits the soft pallet causing the blood vessels to shrink sending the brain a message that it needs more blood.
Which in turn dilates the network of capillaries and blood vessels that cause migraines.
I told my cousin about this technique, he told me that it worked, but, it works better when he first notices the headache coming on. I'm not telling this to give false hope to sufferer's, but, it did help my cousin.

Are you positive they are migraines? 90% of headaches are tension headaches - they come and go just as migraines do.

The absolute best remedy for them is an ice pack on the back of the neck. Second to ice packs, I recommend 'tiger balm', sold at WalMart and GNC ... just a very small dab, massage it into the neck and shoulder muscles. For a really bad headache, I like to rub Absorbine Jr. directly across the scalp.

I don't generally recommend taking any drugs for headaches, not even over the counter. OTC headaches meds can be very dangerous. In all reality, ice will work better and without any side effects (ie: bleeding stomach).

Excedrine Migraine is just regular aspirin with caffeine added. Wippie. A NSAID drug is not going to help a real Migraine - it is a marketing ploy. They get away with it because most people think they have a migraine when they don't, so people think the medicine works on their migraines (which they don't have). Just get an ice pack, much safer.

-JoeJoe

I was just thinking I should explain the differences in headaches ... a migraine is internal, while a tension headache is external. A migraine is caused because a blood vessel in the brain enlarges causing discomfort ... while a tension headache is caused by the muscles around the scalp constricting causing the discomfort.

Many people think that a recurring headache is a migraine, but that is not necessarily the case. And if you do have a recurring tension headache, I recommend making an appointment with a chiropractor.

-JoeJoe

Migranes often have little 'eye thingys' attached. The phosphenes on the eye go off and cause a jagged line to light up...I get those but not the 'severe' headaches...my Daughter used to get those Eye thingys just before the bad headache set in. Both are annoying. Eye thingys are a matter of closing the eys and letting the darkeness prevail. When the head hurty thingy is hammering away there is only the guilloteen. Full agreement with Joe Joe on the OTC stuff. Meh. French execution devises are much more effective...not really an option though huh...

Line from British TV series "Blakes 7"

VILLA: I have a shocking pain behind my eyes.

AVON: Have you considered amputation?

ACCUPUNCTURE!!! Works better than any medicine (prescription or OTC) that I have used for my migraines.

Margarette